The concern for peeled eggs, onions and garlic left overnight is virtually unheard of in many communities. When hearing about it for the first time, many reach out to their rabbis in bewilderment. Let us try to bring some clarity.
The Gemara Niddah 17a presents Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai teaching that peeled eggs, onions, and garlic left overnight pose a serious danger due to ruach raah. Tosafot (Shabbat 141a, s.v. hani and Beitzah 14a, s.v. ika) and the Rosh (Beitza 1:21) cite this Gemara as applicable. However, the Rif, Rambam and Tur do not mention it. Not surprisingly, the Shulchan Aruch makes no mention of this Gemara. The primary explanation given for the Rif, Rambam, Tur and Shulchan Aruch is that ruach raah is no longer a concern according to Tosafot (Yoma 77b, s.v. mishum and Chullin 107b, s.v. hatam) and Maharshal (Yam Shel Shlomo, Chullin 8:31).
The Acharonim are divided on whether it should be followed. On the Ashkenazic side, the Shulchan Aruch HaRav (Hilchot Shemirat HaGuf 7) and the Aruch Hashulchan (Yoreh Deah 116:22) codify this halacha, but the Pitchei Teshuva, Chochmat Adam, and Kitzur Shulchan Aruch do not. The Darkei Teshuva (116:74 cites Teshuvot Yad Meir (19), which supports the communities that are not concerned about this matter. Significantly, though, the Chafetz Chaim (Likutei Halachos (Chofetz Chaim, Niddah 7a, Ein Mishpat no. 7))recommends being strict.
The major poskim of the previous generation—including Rav Moshe Feinstein, Teshuvot Igrot Moshe Yoreh Deah 3:20, Rav Ovadia Yosef Teshuvot Yabia Omer 2 Yoreh Deah 7, Rav Zvi Pesach Frank Teshuvot Har Zvi Yoreh Deah 74, Teshuvot Chelkat Yaakov 4:12 and Teshuvot Minchat Yitzchak (II, 68:13)—at the least recommend following this halacha. Thus, many communities sensibly follow this rule.
However, many communities do not follow this halacha. For example, it is mostly unheard of in the Modern Orthodox community. There is also much basis for those who are lenient, especially since Rav Hershel Schachter (cited in https://oukosher.org/blog/consumer-kosher/peeled-eggs-onion-or-garlic-overnight/) believes that the general custom in the United States is to be lenient. However, he instructs OU Kosher to be strict, since it must service those who are strict.
On the Sephardic side, the Pri Chadash and Ben Ish Chai (Parshat Pinchas 2:14) follow this halacha. The Kaf HaChaim (Yoreh Deah 116:92), though, defends those who are lenient. Yalkut Yosef (Yoreh Deah 116:7) adopts a compromise approach. He writes that it is proper to be careful about this matter—meaning that while it is encouraged to follow this rule—baseline halacha does not require doing so. In addition, Yalkut Yosef rules that we may eat the food bedieved. This means that those who are strict may eat at homes that are lenient.
Even among the poskim who are lenient, many limit the application of this rule. Teshuvot Beit Shlomo (Yoreh Deah 189) says it only applies to uncooked eggs, onions and garlic. The Ben Ish Chai rules that it does not apply when these items are mixed with other foods. Rav Ovadia Yosef says it does not apply to dehydrated eggs, onions and garlic.
Most significantly, Rav Feinstein rules it applies only to ordinary household situations. This includes preparing the food before eating but was for some reason left overnight or prepared the night before for the next day’s use. However, the concern for ruach raah does not apply to commercial preparation when many eggs, onions or garlic are prepared before use.
Conclusion: OU Kosher’s Policy
Rav Hershel Schachter and Rav Yisroel Belsky agree with Rav Feinstein, and OU Kosher follows it. Therefore, OU Kosher certifies commercial egg, garlic and onion products but does not permit a caterer to crack eggs for the next day’s breakfast or to cut onions and garlic for the next day’s salad (https://oukosher.org/blog/consumer-kosher/peeled-eggs-onion-or-garlic-overnight/).
Rabbi Jachter serves as the rav of Congregation Shaarei Orah, rebbe at Torah Academy of Bergen County, and a get administrator with the Beth Din of Elizabeth. Rabbi Jachter’s 18 books, including a brand new one entitled, “In the King’s Court: Exploring Megillat Esther—Our Most Subtle Victory,” may be purchased at Amazon and Judaica House.
